Let’s read about the early church exploding and the fellows that were under the anointing of our precious Lord’s influence.
Acts 6:1- 9:19a Read it in several versions to get different flavors.
Acts 6:1 “But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent……”
Amazing isn’t it how no matter what the Lord does for us or among us, never the less we find ways seemingly to be discontented. Ever notice just how easy it is to loose your peace? This adamic nature gig is really a much bigger monster than perhaps we pay attention to. Perhaps we are so enthralled with our potential that we do not do a good job assessing “the enemy”.
I noticed in this passage the subject of discontent was the widows. I wonder if we tracked when we are feeling discontent how often it might be associated to some aspect of woman. My point is not that woman produces these states of discontent but rather what we as men do with the dance with woman is what produces them. Passivity will definitely kill us. The myth of passivity is that I am truly passive, but the reality of passivity is that a passive man is very pissed indeed but is hiding because he is afraid. Can I get a sheepish amen out there?…..
Okay so what stirred in you after reading the above thoughts?
What inner self talk occurred? What were you thinking about yourself? Do you relate to these issues? Where?
Acts 6: 4 “ Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit”
v.8 “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power….
v. 10 “None of them was able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke.”
v. 15”the council stared at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel”s.”
What do you think caused this glow, radiance?
Acts 7:55 “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily upward into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus….”
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So what do you think, can you see yourself as a Stephen? How do you suppose he got to where he was when we find him in Acts? What sort of habits might he have had? Do you think he lived closer to Mr. Rogers or a middle linerback? Why?
How do you get “full of faith”?
What might it look like to live a life full of grace and power?
Where do you see yourself in the scope of God’s plans for the community of mankind?
Did you notice the strength of Stephen’s straight forward approach to truth? He passionately knows who he is, where he has come from and what is reality today. He confronts distortions and compromises to God’s character. He asserts reality and in the process of doing so finds it enflames the self righteous that he is confronting. The self righteous falsely believe they are killing Stephen, but the reality is they are simply setting him free from death and distortions. Perhaps Paul years latter will recall the stoning of Stephen and the radiance of Jesus on his face. Perhaps, the shouting of Stephen as he died, “Lord don’t charge them with this sin” would drift again back to Paul. Can you imagine the kindred spirit Paul then may have felt when he penned those words, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain”.
Brothers, God is not impressed with your good behaviors, nor is He shattered by your ill behaviors. I am convinced these mean more to the self righteous and those that choose to live lives burdened down by such, than they do to our Sacred Father. For God to be orienting much off of our “getting it together” is a tremendous insult to the work of His blessed Son. He will never add to the perfect work of the cross. His Son’s work is complete. We can neither bring anything more to it or distract from it. Stand in grace, men. Take your place in the battle. This life we live frequently clouds reality. You were made for far more than pulling corporate plows. Its your choice, an ambassador for the Most High, or an “ass” “laboring under the sun”.
The beauty of what God has extended to us is beyond what we can comprehend. God is mystery and will always be. But He invites us to draw near and come alive.
Journey on sacred brothers……
jeff